Falcons Frustrate Monarchs At The Nest
Published on February 6, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MA â Goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier had 31 saves, center Chris Ferraro collected three points and Erik Westrum added two goals as the Springfield Falcons blanked the Manchester Monarchs, 4-0, before a small but appreciative crowd of 2,932 at the Springfield Civic Center on Friday night. Pelletier nailed down his seventh win this season with 15 third period saves. He cemented his second shutout of the season by kicking away right wing Pavel Rosa's power play blast from the right point with 30 seconds remaining in the game. Seconds later, Westrum directed his shot into an empty net to complete the scoring. Forwards Krystofer Kolanos and Jason Jaspers assisted on Westrum's goal, scored at 19:39. Five of Westrum's team-leading 13 goals have come against the Monarchs this season.
The win was the first in four games for the Falcons (15-26-5-2, 37 points), who entered Friday's game with the lowest point total in the 28-team American Hockey League and in seventh place in the Atlantic Division. The loss extended the Monarchs' (23-20-3-3, 52 points) winless streak to four games (0-3-1-0). Including Friday's result, the fourth place Monarchs are 2-2-0-1 in five head-to-head match-ups with the Falcons. The teams are scheduled to meet five more times this season. The next encounter is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
The Falcons cashed in early with first period goals from left wing Frantisek Lukes and Westrum. Lukes made it 1-0 Falcons with his third goal this season, scored from the slot at 10:04. Goran Bezina, a defenseman forced to play at left wing after a first period injury to defenseman Chris Dyment, created the scoring chance by knocking down center Michael Cammalleri's clearing attempt near the Monarchs's blue line. Ferraro also earned an assist on the play. Westrum added to the lead with his 12th goal this season, scored with a high wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle at 13:01. The Falcons were enjoying a five-on-three power play advantage at the time. Ferraro and Kolanos assisted on Westrum's marker.
The Falcons, who entered Friday's action with the worst power play percentage in the league, struck again for another power play goal at 8:56 of the middle period. Defenseman Brian Helmer, a 10-year veteran appearing in his first game for the Falcons after suffering a training camp shoulder injury, threaded a perfect pass to Ferarro, who secured the pass at the Monarchs' blue line, bolted into the zone, and fired a blistering shot over the stick of goaltender Mathieu Chouinard, who finished with 30 saves and his fifth loss. Defenseman Todd Reirden also assisted on Ferarro's seventh goal this season.
The Monarchs return to action on Saturday, February 7 when they host the Worcester IceCats at the Verizon Wireless Arena at 7:35. Single seats remain for Saturday's game.
NOTES: Fox Sports Net New England (channel 52 on the Manchester cable system) will air the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, set for 7 p.m. on Monday, February 9 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
CN8-The Comcast Network (channel 3 on the Manchester cable system) will air the 2004 AHL All-Star Skills Competition, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, at Van Andel Arena, on Saturday, February 14 at 1 p.m.
Four Monarchs, including left wing Noah Clarke (LaVerne, Califorina), center Steve Kelly (Vancouver, British Columbia), defenseman Bryan Muir (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and right wing Pavel Rosa (Most, Czech Republic) will participate in the 2004 All-Star activities. Rosa and Clarke will skate for the PlanetUSA All-Stars. Kelly and Muir will skate for the Canadian All-Stars. All four players will be making their first AHL All-Star appearances.
Ticket Availability as of February 6, 2004
Sat., Feb. 7 vs. Worcester: Single seats remain.
American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2004
- Falcons and Pelletier shutout Manchester, 4-0 - Springfield Falcons
- B-Sens please sellout crowd with 7-4 victory - Binghamton Senators
- Griffins' lead over Wolves at nine following 3-2 win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- P-Bruins fall to Hartford in overtime - Providence Bruins
- Sound Tigers, Lowell Skate To Bizarre Tie - Bridgeport Islanders
- Rally falls short, Admirals drop Aeros 4-3 - Houston Aeros
- Late goals doom Ducks - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Falcons Frustrate Monarchs At The Nest - Manchester Monarchs
- Grizzlies Pluck the Ducks with Two Late Goals - Utah Grizzlies
- Phantoms defeat Albany 5-2 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bears bounced in Bingo, 7-4 - Hershey Bears
- Falcons sign RW Nick Lent to PTO - Springfield Falcons
- Pirates Promote "Hockey Is For Everyone" - Portland Pirates
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Blatny, Foster Return to Chicago - Chicago Wolves
- Fox Sports SW, Center Ice to televise AHL All-Star Game - Houston Aeros
- P-Bruins, WSKO team up for blood drives - Providence Bruins
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Former P-Bruin Glen Murray an NHL All-Star - Providence Bruins
- Tim Thomas reassigned to Providence - Providence Bruins
- Syracuse Releases Cameron - Syracuse Crunch
- Crunch Announce Details of 'Hess on Your Way Home' Program - Syracuse Crunch
- Local youth players to participate in AHL All-Star Skills Competition - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Aeros Game Day - Houston Aeros
- Two River Rats Reassigned - Albany River Rats
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